The Stranger You Know, by Andrea Kane

Sometime last year, I read The Line Between Here and Gone, which is one of three books in author Andrea Kane's Forensic Instincts series.  The books really stand alone, but all involve the Forensic Instincts team and their cases.  When I was asked about reviewing The Stranger You Know, the third book in the series, I quickly agreed.

The Stranger You Know centers on FI team leader Casey Woods.  A serial killer is targeting college-aged redheaded women, and taunting Casey with his kills.  He soon reveals that she is more than just an investigator who has happened to catch the offender's attention; she is his ultimate target.

Kane crafted a good story here, and I particularly enjoyed the glimpses into the victims' lives.  On the whole, though, I thought the characterizations were very lacking.  I read reviews from a few others who had never read the other FI books, and they didn't seem to feel a connection to the characters at all.  I don't remember feeling this way as much in The Line Between Here and Gone.  I also appreciated that the earlier book focused on outside characters, while The Stranger You Know is almost entirely focused on the Forensic Instincts team.  Those characters were just too stereotypical and underdeveloped to carry the story well, in my opinion. 

Stranger is a fast-paced novel, though, great for weekend reading.  The plot moves along well, and there were twists that I enjoyed, even if the were foreseeable.  As a person with a connection to law enforcement, I took major beef with Casey's actions toward the end (no spoilers; I will leave it at that).  There is a difference in being singularly focused on catching your criminal and being incredibly stupid, and Casey landed on the stupid side of that equation in this book (which is a shame, because I thought pretty highly of her in the previous book). 

If it sounds like I'm being negative, I'm really not.  Again, this is a good book to fly through in just a couple of days, because despite the character-based flaws, the plot will probably keep you sucked in.  The thriller element is not lacking at all, and you may even find yourself staying up past midnight to see if all your suspicions were correct.  I did.

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I received a copy of this book from the publisher via TLC Book Tours.  All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.  More reviews and the full tour post may be found here.

The Panopticon, by Jenni Fagan

I must admit, it took me forever to get around to starting this book.  I am not sure why I kept putting it off, either.  I have been in a general reading slump for the last few weeks, which is particularly distressing because I've read some great things this summer.  Lately, when everything is finally done for the evening and I can sit down to read for awhile, I just feel so completely wiped out that I can't even face concentrating on any book, no matter how good it might be.  Thankfully, I feel like the slump is lifting and I have a few things I'm excited to get started on.  Plus, we have a week at the beach quickly approaching, where I am hoping for plenty of quality reading time in the sun!

When I did finally get started on The Panopticon, I was surprised at how quickly I became interested in the story.  I had heard it was dark and gritty, and somewhat violent, and I think I was sort of prepared to not like it so much. It didn't take long to become invested in the story, however, and I found myself quite attached to Anais by the end of the second chapter.  I was so consumed by the story that I even quickly began to read over the Scottish dialect without having to think about it for too long.  (Unfamiliar dialect can really detract from a story sometimes, when I am constantly having to stop and figure out what's really being said.  That was not so much the case here, after a few pages.)

Anais Hendricks, nearly sixteen, has been in the foster care system for her entire life.  When we meet her in this story, she is on her way to the Panopticon, a home for chronic young offenders, after being accused of assaulting a policewoman.  We are quickly given a brief insight into the difficult life Anais has lived, being shuffled around in the system, with very few people who ever looked out for her best interests.

Anais is as tough as she is pitiable, and she quickly forms a bond with some of the other kids at her latest "home".  The other kids come from a variety of backgrounds, many as harsh and depressing as Anais's.  They all have their own stories, each as compelling as the next.  (Okay, I'll admit it, Isla's was the one that got to me the most; oh, how I just want to love that girl!)  At its heart, The Panopticon is the story of these children of the system, most particularly Anais, but the others as well, and how they keep fighting in a world that just wants to discard them. 

There was a surprisingly happy twist at the end of this book, one I'm not sure I can completely trust.  (After all, much of the story is told from Anais's drug-addled point of view and we know she makes up elaborate stories about her past.)  But you know what?  I'm going with it--I am choosing to believe she got that happy ending and that Anais is living just as simply and happily as she always dreamed she might. (I loved the ending, honestly.)

I should note, as have many others, that this book is not for the faint of heart.  There is no shortage of violence, terrible language, drug use, and sex...but it's all part of the institutional setting of the story.  Even though it was distressing and a bit hard to read at times, I am grateful to this book for putting me back in the mood to curl up and read at the end of the day!

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I received a copy of this book for review via TLC Book Tours and the publisher.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.  For more reviews, check out the full tour post.

Hungry, by Darlene Barnes

I don't read a lot of memoirs, but if more were written like this book, I would gladly become a devoted fan of the genre.  I loved Hungry because I loved Darlene Barnes's writing.  Her voice made the book for me.  She is funny, straightforward, and very relatable.  She's someone I would totally want for a friend, but I'd be careful to stay on her good side!

Hungry: What Eighty Ravenous Guys Taught Me About Life, Love and the Power of Good Food is the story of the author's experiences as a cook for the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity at the University of Washington in Seattle.  After relocating to Seattle with her husband, Barnes is eager for a career of her own in the food industry, and she takes on a job that most "serious food professionals" would never consider.  The job with Alpha Sigma Phi brings unexpected challenges, as well as unexpected rewards.

Having been in a sorority in college, and having married a fraternity boy, I could relate to many of Darlene's struggles, as well as her stories.  One of the things I appreciated most about this book is that she presented a fair picture of Greek life as I experienced it.  Yes, there are parties and pranks, and there is privilege and competition, both in and among organizations.  But there are also real, true relationships being forged, friendships and connections that can last a lifetime.  Darlene did a great job of portraying all that here, even if it wasn't the focus of the book.  Her "guys" were familiar to me--they were just like many of my own college friends--and Alpha Sig reminded me a lot of my husband's fraternity. 

As for the food part of the book, I found it fascinating as well.  Barnes was a believer in "real food" from local sources, long before such things were trendy.  Naturally, she faced an uphill battle, both from fraternity boys happy to live on Easy Mac and from her traditional food distributors who couldn't seem to understand why she cared so much about where the chicken originated.  I loved Darlene's no-bull attitude and admired the way she took charge of the fraternity kitchen as well as the boys who sought her out for guidance.  The humorous and poignant stories are the heart of Hungry, but the discussion of food is woven seamlessly throughout the narrative, along with recipes at the end of each chapter.

I enjoyed every bit of this book, from cover to cover.  Whether you're interested in the foodie aspect or the behind-the-scenes look at life in a fraternity (from a female point of view, nonetheless!), there's a lot to love about Hungry. 

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Want to read Hungry: What Eighty Ravenous Guys Taught Me About Life, Love, and the Power of Good Food?  

Leave a comment on this post to be entered to win a copy for yourself!  If you want, tell me if you were a part of the Greek system in college.

(Giveaway is open to U.S./Canada residents only.  The giveaway will close on Monday, August 12, at 10:00 p.m.  Please leave a contact email if I don't already have yours.)

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I received a copy of this book for review via TLC Book Tours and the publisher.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.  For more reviews, check out the full tour post.

The Exiles, by Allison Lynn {Review & Giveaway}

Well, hello there!  I didn't intend to disappear from the old blog like I did, but I've been enjoying a pretty busy summer and writing moved to the backburner for awhile. 

One thing I haven't been skimping on lately?  Reading.  I have read lots of good books this summer (and at least one terrible one, but that's not what you want to hear about, right?).

While on vacation/Jeremy's work trip in Nashville a couple of weeks ago, I read Allison Lynn's new book The Exiles.  It was a great vacation read, weighty enough but not overly depressing. 

Set in the early- to mid-2000s, The Exiles is the story of a couple struggling to have it all.  Nate and Emily have come to terms with the fact that they can no longer keep up with the demands of their extravagant New York City lifestyle.  Nate is offered a respectable job in Rhode Island, and the couple, along with their ten-month-old son make the decision to relocate.  The book details their move-in weekend, which turns somewhat disastrous when the Jeep containing many of their belongings is stolen.  As Nate and Emily tough it out in their new situation, they face some hard truths about their lives and the secrets they've kept from one another.

While I basically did not like Nate or Emily very much, I did feel a bit of pity for them at times.  Yes, they are in desperate need of a kick in the pants, and someone should tell them to grow up and take responsibility for their lives and the family they created.  No, I cannot imagine the pressure to "keep up with the Joneses" they felt among their NYC social group.  I guess I felt sorry for them because they don't seem know how very good the world can be beyond that group they struggle to fit into (and then feel a bit of shame over leaving).

Most of all, though?  While reading The Exiles, I felt really, really grateful that Jeremy and I have never really felt that we had anything to prove.  We don't feel pressure to have prestigious careers or to have the best of everything.  We are happy with our simple, comfortable lifestyle and we are content with what we have (for the most part--I'm not saying I wouldn't like to have a slightly bigger house or a pool in the backyard...but we all have a wishlist of some sort, right?).  Nate and Emily managed to redeem themselves a little by the end of the book, but their story really did make me appreciate my life, and the family I have, more than ever.

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~GIVEAWAY~

Thanks to the publisher, I am able to offer a copy of The Exiles to one reader!  To enter, just leave a comment on this post.  The giveaway will end at 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, and is open to U.S./Canada residents only.

I received a copy of this book for review via TLC Book Tours and the publisher.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.  For more reviews, check out the full tour post.

He's Gone, by Deb Caletti

"The Sunday morning starts like any other, aside from the slight hangover. Dani Keller wakes up on her Seattle houseboat, a headache building behind her eyes from the wine she drank at a party the night before. But on this particular Sunday morning, she’s surprised to see that her husband, Ian, is not home. As the hours pass, Dani fills her day with small things. But still, Ian does not return. Irritation shifts to worry, worry slides almost imperceptibly into panic. And then, like a relentless blackness, the terrible realization hits Dani: He’s gone."  (From the book description)

He's Gone is, I believe, the first adult fiction book from Deb Caletti, who has previously published several YA titles.  She made a good jump here, and this novel didn't have any leftover YA elements at all.  What I mean is, Caletti captured the tone and spirit of her adult characters just as well as she does in her teenage characters in the YA books I've read.  This isn't a "good first attempt at adult literary fiction", it's just a good adult literary fiction novel, period.

That's not to say I didn't have my qualms with this book.  It felt very slow-moving at times, which was also a complaint I had with another book I read by this author.  But at the same time, I don't think the plot and the mystery are really the central elements of this story when all is said and done.  It's a very character-driven, introspective book, mainly focused on Dani and her thought process as she struggles to uncover and understand what happened to her husband. 

Dani and Ian's story, their adulterous beginnings and less-than-picture-perfect relationship, is revealed to the reader in bits at a time, through flashbacks as Dani processes her current situation.  She reflects on their history and the psychology of their relationship to try to piece together what might have happened to Ian--did he leave her as he left his first wife?  Did he choose to just disappear without a trace?  Was there a side to him she knew nothing about?  Or was he a victim, did something horrible actually happen to him?  I found Dani's thought process--her fears, worries, and insecurities--pretty fascinating.  He's Gone definitely doesn't make light of the issues that linger in a relationship with such tumultuous beginnings. 

And the answer to the mystery?  Well, I wasn't blown away, but again, I'm not sure that was meant to be the real focus of the book anyway. 

Give this book a chance when you're ready to dig into something a little more 

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I received a copy of this book for review via TLC Book Tours and the publisher.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.  For more reviews, check out the full tour post.

A Dual Inheritance, by Joanna Hershon: Review & Giveaway

Before I read A Dual Inheritance, I had never heard of dual inheritance theory.  Apparently, it's a real thing, defined by Wikipedia as "a theory developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s to explain how human behavior is a product of two different and interacting evolutionary processes: genetic evolution and cultural evolution."

Although the dual inheritance theory is mentioned at the beginning of the book, I didn't really think of it much while I was reading.  It is more in retrospect that I see exactly how Hershon wove the concept into the story.  I do think it's a perfect title...plus, it just sounds nice:  A Dual Inheritance. 

This book totally captivated me from the very beginning.  It's what I like to call an epic story--there's not one huge thing that happens, it's not even necessarily plot-driven.  This is a very character-driven book, and it covers decades, continents, and generations with its characters. 

Ed and Hugh meet one night during their senior year at Harvard, beginning the most unlikely of friendships.  Ed is a slightly hard-edged Jewish student, attending Harvard on scholarship.  He has big dreams and big plans and is determined to make a better life for himself.  Hugh, on the other hand, is from an "old money" family, a member of the envied Boston elite.  Despite all his advantages, Hugh is restless and reluctant to follow the path set out for him.  A Dual Inheritance is the story of these two men, the stages of their friendship (budding, thriving, and then non-existent), and the unexpected effects they have on one another and the lives they each choose to build.

I can't say enough how much I truly enjoyed this book.  From the characterizations to the changing landscapes, to the depiction of the relationships, I thought it was all just fantastically well done.  I recommend reading this one over a long weekend when you can let yourself be truly engrossed in the story...trust me, you won't want to put it down!

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GIVEAWAY!

The publisher, Ballantine Books, has offered a copy of this book to one reader.  To enter, just leave a comment on this post and tell me the last book you really loved.  Be sure to leave an email address if I don't already have yours, so that I will have a way to contact the winner.  At the publisher's request, this giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.  

The giveaway will be open through Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 9:00 p.m. central time. 

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I received a copy of this book for review via TLC Book Tours and the publisher.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.  For more reviews, check out the full tour post.

The Evolution of a Bedtime Story

I have loved books for as long as I can remember.  My mom was the best to always take me to the library and she kept me fully stocked in the books I wanted to read.  I remember being so very excited to get my very own library card, even though it had to reside in the file at the library until I was older (after graduating high school, maybe?  It's a little fuzzy now).

Because of my own love affair with books, I desperately hoped my girls would love reading and books, and I did everything I could to encourage that love.  I read aloud to them when they were too little to understand the words--mostly magazine articles, but also chunks of To Kill a Mockingbird.  How's that for culture?

I put out books for the girls starting almost immediately, when they were far too young to know what to do with them.  I wanted them to see books lying around, to know what they were, and to hear the words and see the pictures they contained.  Naturally, we started with thick and chunky board books, soft fabric or plastic books, and a couple of these indestructible books, which A & M really loved around 18 months or so.

When the girls were just a few months old, I started read an actual "bedtime story" each night.  Even if they squawked and fussed through it, this short little routine was one of the last things I did before putting them in bed for the night.  At some point, I began reading a short little Baby Einstein book (Lullabies & Sweet Dreams), which had a nice little rhyming cadence...that I can still recite most of, for the record.  This book remained in our bedtime rotation, even once we added other books in, for at least two years.  I still try to pull it out every once in while, even though I am usually vetoed now.

I rejoiced when the girls finally reached a point where they would sit (relatively) still in my lap for a couple of stories.  I don't remember exactly how old they were at that point, but I remember thinking it was a pretty young age for them to be actually "listening".  (I am guessing a little more than a year or so?)  I was so excited to finally be able to get through a small stack of books at bedtime.  Though my mind was numbed at times by the basic, repetitive wording in most of the simple board books, I was glad to see my girls' interest growing.

We stuck with the simple books through about age 2 1/2, employing only a few more wordy titles here and there.  As soon as I felt it made sense, though, I started incorporating more and more books with actual pages, more text, and (gasp!) occasionally an actual plot.  I was relieved to be free from board book prison.  And to my surprise, as the length of the books we read increased, so did the girls' patience for the stories.  They became good little listeners, only rarely interrupting and always sitting still where they could see the pictures.

After age two, I began seeking out all manner of books that I enjoyed reading to the girls.  I hunted down childhood favorites, flipped through tons of books at the library, and made note of books I saw recommended online.  Some became new favorites of mine, while others struck the girls' fancy.  We had a few standbys in common, but often our favorites do not overlap.  (I may or may not have placed the ones I loathed reading aloud at the bottom of the pile occasionally.)

I love, love, love getting to explore new titles with my girls, and watching their comprehension grow by leaps and bounds.  Though they haven't shown any real interest in learning to read themselves yet, I feel sure that we have built a solid foundation that will hopefully help them become lifelong readers.

Recently, I have branched out in their bedtime stories once again, trying out the idea of chapter books.  Mackenzie is still enamored with the The Jesus Storybook Bible, which she requests every single night. The stories are not very long, but do have a sense of continuity from one story to the next, so I figured they might be ready for some of the more simple chapter books we could read a little from each night.  After watching the movie "Ramona & Beezus", which the girls loved, I picked up the book at the library.  I remember reading and re-reading Beverly Clearly when I was young, so I was excited to share her books with them.  A & M were so excited to see Ramona in book form, and to hear some of the same stories they'd seen in the movie, plus new ones.

I probably overestimated their attention span a little, as the chapters turned out to be a little longer than is ideal at this point.  Still, they did listen to a full chapter on several occasions and we made it through a good chunk of the book.  A few weeks ago, I ordered The Children of Noisy Village, and its chapters a bit shorter.  The girls have liked it the nights we have read it, and I like the quaint, simple story lines.

As a new facet to our bedtime story routine, the girls now request to 'read' on their own for awhile after I tuck them into bed.  Mackenzie gets her Jesus Storybook and Addison usually requests her large Princess book, and they wind down by flipping through the pages of their familiar favorites.  I love that they have developed this habit, and I hope it's a sign of good things to come on the book front.

While we may not be ready for a Harry Potter read-a-long for quite some time, I recognize how far we have come with books in four years.  I am thankful for the love of literature I see growing in my girls, and I will continue to do everything I can to encourage it.

One day, girls, we will get to Harry Potter, and your minds will be BLOWN. 

Carry On, Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton {Review & Giveaway}

I don't remember exactly how I came to hear about Glennon Melton's blog, Momastery, but I know I spent a chunk of time one afternoon browsing through her writing.  A few things I read made me laugh out loud, others had me nodding in agreement, and still others caused my eyes to well up with tears.  While I don't read her blog regularly, Glennon stayed on my radar.  When I was asked about reviewing her new book, Carry On, Warrior, I quickly agreed.

I knew a bit of Glennon Melton's story from her blog--a "recovering everything", she is now a shameless "truth-teller" who doesn't hide behind a created image of herself.  She is passionate, dramatic, and honest, and her writing is in turn hilarious, sappy, and touching.

I found these same things to be true about Glennon as the author of Carry On, Warrior.  If you have read and enjoyed her blog, you'll love the book.  You will see some of the same material--even not being a regular reader, I recognized a few of her more popular posts.  There were also things I hadn't read, and some of those essays turned out to be my favorites.  If you don't know anything about Glennon Melton, you may very well enjoy the book all the more.  Reading the blog is in no way a prerequisite, is what I'm saying.

I confess that I find Glennon and the whole Momastery thing to be a little...well, much, for lack of a better term.  The same was true for the book at times.  Parts of it had me rolling my eyes at her flowery and grandiose writing.  I was a little put off by the entire chapter devoted to her sister's divorce.  I mean, I totally understand the closeness of a sister, but it was her divorce to experience, not Glennon's.  The description of a full year of crying, self-pity, and focus on Sister, of giving little to no attention to her husband and children--the prime example of all that is just too over-the-top about Glennon, in my opinion. 

On the flip side, however, there are essays like "Unwind" (about a married couple who forget to value one another) and "A Mountain I'm Willing to Die On" (about teaching our children by example that they are good, they are valued, and they are loved just as they are).  Those are examples of Glennon's serious writing at its best.  She really does seem very open, and is obviously willing to share her weaknesses and dirty secrets, because as she says, no one makes friends by sharing their strengths.  Glennon's writing about her addictions and recovery is gritty, moving, and real, but always with an undertone of humor.  I do love a lady who can laugh at herself.

In fact, my absolute favorite essays in Carry On, Warrior are the funny ones.  Glennon is at her best when she's milking the comedy from everyday life, in my opinion.  Essays like "Sucker--On Vacuuming", "Initiation" (which I had read on the blog, but remains one of my favorites), and "Transcendentalist" are ones I will mark to come back to when I need a laugh.  They are the ones I will read aloud to friends, and they are what makes me recommend this book to others who I know will appreciate the same things.

Are you a Momastery fan?  Interested in reading Carry On, Warrior?  (If so, be sure to keep reading!)

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GIVEAWAY

I am pleased to offer an opportunity for one reader to win a copy of Carry On, Warrior, courtesy of Scribner Publishing.  To enter, just leave a comment on this post.  If you're stumped for what to say, tell me the last time you vacuumed your floors (that's related to the essay I mention above, and the fact that I haaaate vacuuming!).  Or tell me if you've ever heard of Glennon Melton?  Perhaps her essay "Don't Carpe Diem"?

The giveaway will close this Sunday, April 28, at 10:00 p.m central time. 

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I received a copy of this book for review via TLC Book Tours and the publisher.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.  For more reviews, check out the full tour post.

The Clover House, by Henriette Lazaridis Power

Calliope Notaris Brown--or Callie Brown, as she is known in her everyday life--is a woman struggling to find her place in the world.  Born in the U.S. to a Greek mother and American father, Callie has always felt split between two worlds.  Making matters more difficult is her relationship with her mother, Clio, which has always been somewhat cold and distant.

When her uncle passes away, Callie learns she has inherited the contents of his home and she must travel to Patras, Greece to take possession of and sort through the memories of her uncle's life.  While there, Callie uncovers long-buried family secrets and struggles to understand her mother's difficult ways.  Callie must make decisions about all the relationships in her life--with her mother, her Greek family, and her fiance waiting back in Boston.

Set against the backdrop of the traditional Carnival, The Clover House is an interesting look at Greek culture.  Greece is not a country I know a lot about and is not a setting I have come across very often.  I enjoyed the descriptions of Greece--the people, the customs, and the history.

Also especially interesting were the retrospective sections, narrated in the third-person, from Clio's perspective during the Italian and German occupation in World War II.  These stories revealed a fascinating history, and were the most interesting parts of the plot, I thought.  The chapters from Clio's point of view drew me in and were definitely my favorite parts of the book.

While full of interesting history and providing a look at a setting I didn't know much about, the book overall fell a little flat for me.  I did not like Callie and couldn't really get past the ridiculously immature ways she behaved.  There was a little redemption in the end, thank goodness, and a bit of hope for her future.

Again, while I may not have loved this book, I did enjoy the rare setting and the insight into the Greek culture and traditions.  If you're interested in Greece/Carnival/WWII fiction, check this one out.

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I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher and TLC Book Tours.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.  For more information and reviews of this title, check out the full tour post.

Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham

When I heard that Lauren Graham was writing a book, I immediately made note of the title to add to my (neverending) to-read list.  I have been an LG fan since her Gilmore Girls days, and I've enjoyed watching her on Parenthood as well.  The lady is amazingly talented, no doubt about that.

But can she write, too?

Judging by Graham's debut novel, Someday, Someday, Maybe, I would answer that question with a resounding YES. 

Someday, Someday, Maybe is the fictional tale of Franny Banks, an aspiring actress struggling to find her way in New York City.  Set in the mid-1990s, the story feels very authentic, and I can't help but think it must be inspired at least in part by some of Graham's own experiences.

Franny is a fun, realistic lead, and I loved how developed her character was throughout the book.  We see lots of different sides to Franny, and you quickly realize that she is far from perfect, but lovably so.  She is exactly the kind of girl readers want to see come out on top.  Basically, Franny is awesome, even when she is making boneheaded decisions, and she just might remind you of your best friend.  (Even if your best friend is not a struggling actress from 1995.)

When I realized the book was set in the mid-1990s, I wasn't sure how I would feel about that.  I'm not sure exactly why, but a setting from that era can sometimes be distracting to me and can feel even more dated than it should.  That was not the case in Someday, Someday, Maybe.  In fact, I found myself a little nostalgic at some of the details--like the decision of whether or not to leave home when waiting on a much-anticipated phone call or calling in to check messages on the answering machine. In the same vein, I found myself enjoying the show business storyline.  It was interesting and entertaining, and not at all pretentious, I thought.

Overall, I found Graham's first work of fiction to be pretty outstanding.  The narrative flows the way I imagine a conversation with Lauren Graham (or her alter-ego Lorelai Gilmore) would, and it is very obvious that she has a ton of natural writing talent.  I hope Lauren Graham will continue to write, and I will most definitely continue to read her work.

**I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.  All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Someday, Someday, Maybe will be available on April 30.

Some Things I've Read Lately

If you read YA books or YA book blogs for very long, there are certain books you are sure to hear about.  For me, one of those books was Anna and the French Kiss. 

I've heard raves about this book everywhere, and it has been on my to-read list for well over a year now.  Unfortunately, it isn't available at either of my libraries, and I just didn't want to pay full price for it.  I finally snagged it on a flash sale for just a couple of bucks...and of course I started reading it immediately.

I was pleased to find that I enjoyed Anna and the French Kiss as much as I'd hoped.  The characters are fun, and surprisingly relatable, given that they attend a boarding school in Paris.  Anna is my favorite type of YA book--one that brings back memories of exactly what it was like to be a teenager-- but more of the good teenage memories than the bad ones.  This was also the kind of book that made me wish I could go back and have those adventures with my friends again (and do it better this time around!).  None of the characters are too angsty or unrealistically dramatic, which can get annoying very quickly. 

And of course, I must mention the romance, the quintessential part of so much YA fiction.  The relationship between Anna and St. Clair is appropriate (mostly, anyway) and believable (for teenagers in boarding school).  Their interactions were sweet and fun and not too incredibly intense.  Again, Anna is the type of book that brings back only the best teenage memories. 

If you haven't read YA in years (since you were a young adult, perhaps) but think you might like the genre, I highly recommend Anna and the French Kiss as an excellent place to begin.  (And I hear Stephanie Perkins's newest title, Lola and the Boy Next Door is just as good!)

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Have you ever read a book where you just weren't sure what the heck was going on?  That was this book for me.  It was the promise of a shocking mystery, something dark, that kept me interested.  I knew there were things that weren't being revealed to me, the reader, and I was curious enough to keep reading to find out what they were. 

Although I spend a lot of time thoroughly confused--either by the unreliable narrator, the unfamiliar phrasing (the book is translated from its original Dutch), the things intentionally left unsaid, or the time jumps (the narrator will slip into a flashback without warning)--it became easier once I settled into the voice and quirks of the book.

I would have said the book itself was just okay, but upon finishing, I kept thinking about it for quite awhile. There are several themes addressed, even if not directly. Questions about the outcasts of a society, the issue of racism, mental illness, etc. The ultimate question posed by the story, and the one that really has me thinking is this: How far would we go to protect our children? 

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 Sometimes, after a string of particularly intense or thinky (that's a technical term, you know), I'm just in the mood for some light, fun chick lit.  Keeping Secrets in Seattle fit that bill perfectly.  I was afraid it might be too much of a "My Best Friend's Wedding" takeoff, but I forgot about that comparison pretty quickly.

The best part of this book, for me, was the characters.  Violet is not your typical skinny blonde bombshell, girl-next-door type, which is a welcome departure from the lead in so many romances.  I would totally want to be friends with her, Betsy, and Kim...they're awesome!

Spring break is quickly approaching, and I suggest adding this title to your fun reading list.

Here I Go Again, by Jen Lancaster

I have heard a lot about Jen Lancaster, and her memoir has been on my to-read list for quite some time.  So I really didn't have a lot of knowledge of the author before reading Here I Go Again, her newest fiction book. 

Here I Go Again is the purely enjoyable, totally unrealistic story of Lissy Ryder, a high school queen bee who never quite grew out of her immature, self-centered high school personality.  Still, Lissy thinks she has it made:  married to her high school sweetheart, driving a fancy car, with a luxurious home and gym membership.  It's not long before that carefully constructed life begins to crack, however, and Lissy is faced with the reality that maybe she really doesn't have it all.  Lissy soon finds herself broke and back home with her parents, sleeping in her childhood bedroom. 

After a disastrous night at her twenty-year high school reunion, Lissy is forced to sorta-kinda acknowledge that maybe she hasn't exactly been as loved, admired, and envied by her peers as she imagined.  Is it too late to change her course?  When Lissy's wacky high school acquaintance surreptitiously sends her back into the past, will Lissy be able to fix any of her mistakes?

Watching Lissy struggle to overcome her hateful mean-girl instincts was pretty comical.  The "redo" scenes were some of my favorites in the book.  I also liked the fact that Lissy actually came to care about the repercussions of her actions, and that she felt bad when she inadvertently altered everyone else's future along with her own.  We are talking about a snotty, nasty, spiteful character who actually learns a little bit about thinking of others.  I was glad that storyline wasn't overdone, as Lissy clearly doesn't turn into a do-gooder saint after her experiences; she just becomes a thousand times more tolerable and maybe slightly enjoyable. 

I will admit, the very end of the book bothered me a little.  I won't spoil it by saying exactly what; it's just that something turned up in Lissy's "redone" life that I'm not sure fit her character at all.  Through all her changes, parts of Lissy's personality seemed to remain the same, and I felt a little at odds with one detail of her ending.

Despite that little complaint, I thoroughly enjoyed Here I Go Again.  It's fun and carefree chick lit, with just a touch of 80s and 90s music trivia thrown in for good measure. 

Have you read anything by Jen Lancaster?

**I am compensated for my participation in the BlogHer Book Club, but all opinions expressed are my own.  Find many more reviews and discussions of this title here.

Into the Darkest Corner, by Elizabeth Haynes

Sometimes I forget how much I enjoy a good mystery or suspense novel.  I love that can't-put-it-down feeling that keeps me reading until the early morning hours, while I tell myself over and over that I will only read "a few more pages". 

Elizabeth Haynes's Into the Darkest Corner is the first of this type I have read in awhile, and it was definitely worth skipping a few hours' sleep to read.  I was expecting a pretty straightforward plot about a woman hiding out from her psycho ex-boyfriend, but there was actually a lot more to the story.  Catherine has both physical and psychological scars from her experience, including some pretty severe OCD and PTSD.  Watching her work through those issues brought more depth and an interesting angle to the story.

Instead of chapters, the book alternates between present day (2007-2008) and events in the past (2003-2004).  The sections are short, so the details are revealed slowly, over the course of the book.  At first, I was not sure how much I would like that style, but I ended up enjoying it quite a bit.  Moving through the story in small chunks added to the intensity, I think.

I must say, there is a bit of strong language and some violence, which is to be expected with the subject matter.  Just beware, if you're sensitive to such things.  I do recommend checking out this title when you're ready for an intense, suspenseful story that just might have you double-checking the locks on your front door.

Confession time:  I made sure to read the bulk of this book over the weekend, while Jeremy would be home.  I don't scare easily, but I could tell this one had the potential to creep me out a bit, so I just looked at it as a precaution!

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I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours and the publisher for review.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.  For more reviews and information about this title, check out the full tour post here.

Review: Full Cup, Thirsty Spirit

When I received a copy of Full Cup, Thirsty Spirit back in December, I thought it would be a great book to bolster a good attitude for the approaching new year.  Like The Willpower Instinct, it deals with some of the topics that move to the forefront of our thoughts during these weeks of life-evaluation and vows of change.

In Full Cup, Thirsty Spirit, Dr. Karen Horneffer-Ginter shares a mix of "personal stories, client experiences, and practical exercises" aimed at helping people find a balance amidst the busyness of modern life.  Focusing on six "shifts" one can make in daily life--Honoring Our Rhythms, Turning Within, Filling Up, Fully Inhabiting Our Days, Remembering Lightness, and Embracing Difficulty--Dr. Horneffer-Ginter offers some realistic suggestions to help people live a more full life, focusing on what matters most.

Each chapter covers one of the six shifts in detail.  Dr. Horneffer-Ginter's writing is conversational in style and easy to read.  Though it felt like the topics shifted quite a bit even within the chapters, her voice is steady and helps to tie her ideas together.  I appreciated the prevalence of anecdotes and quotes from others sprinkled throughout the text.  I am a habitual quote collector, and found quite a few to record in my notebook. 

Over the last several years, I have learned more and more about how much better I function on the whole when I remember to slow down, take a break, and not get too overwhelmed with the pressures and intricacies of life's obligations.  Accordingly, many of the topics and suggestions in this book felt really basic to me.  Still, it is affirming to know that I'm not the only one who struggles with these things, and it's always nice to have a reminder that it is not only okay to take a break, but so very beneficial.  I think I will hold onto this book to return to when I need a reminder to take care of myself, spiritually, mentally, and physically.

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I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours and the publisher for review.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.  For more reviews and information about this title, check out the full tour post here.

The Willpower Instinct, by Kelly McGonigal

There's nothing like starting off the New Year with a book about willpower, am I right?  Actually, choosing to read this book was a little out of my comfort zone, but I am so glad I did.  Turns out, it really was the perfect book to kick off a new year. 

The Willpower Instinct:  How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It is a completely enthralling look at the ins and outs of willpower (or lack thereof).  At a time of year when almost everyone is examining their lifestyle, making resolutions, and committing to change, it was very helpful to read this book and make note of tips that might help me succeed with some changes of my own.

Dr. McGonigal's book is easily organized into ten chapters, each covering a different aspect of willpower.  While she effectively explains the science behind each idea, the scientific details never dominated the discussion.  There was just enough science to explain the hows and whys without overwhelming my not-so-scientific mind.  Each chapter also contains real-life examples from courses she has taught on this subject at Stanford University, which interested me quite a bit.  Finally, and perhaps most helpfully, each chapter also includes a willpower experiment and tips to think about your own behavior as related to the chapter's topic.  McGonigal suggests choosing a specific willpower challenge as you read the book, but most of her tips and experiments can also be applied in small increments to any sort of willpower challenge you're facing.

Some of my favorite suggestions include:
--Take the virtue out of decision making...stop thinking of every decision  as "good" or "bad"
--Emphasis on long-term view and thoughts; Keep your big goal in mind to help with the many small decisions that can affect it (This was particularly helpful for me on some of my challenges, to notice all the steps that go into a decision-making process and to think about the end goal almost constantly.)
-- Committing to any small, consistent act of self-control can actually help increase your overall willpower (ex:  focus on something such as tracking your spending or cutting back on sweets)  (I love this one too!)
--Remember what works as your encouragement--for example, notice how good it feels after you exercise and remind yourself of that.  One lady went so far as to leave herself a voicemail for encouragement.  (I need to do this with yoga and running.)

I underlined and highlighted throughout the book, and I've already shared many things I learned with friends and coworkers.  I can safely say this is a book I will be coming back to again and again.

What kind of shape is your willpower in right now?  Find more reviews and interesting discussion of this book on BlogHer.

**I am compensated for my participation in the BlogHer Book Club, but all opinions expressed are my own.

What I Read in 2012

I fell just shy of my goal of reading 50 books in 2012, but if I'm totally honest, I probably read a trashy romance or two that I forgot to count.  That, combined with the books I started and didn't like, plus the tons of children's books I read last year, should definitely add up to more than 50.  I'm calling it a win.

Here were my ten (okay, eleven including both Sookie Stackhouse books) favorites, in no particular order:

The Flight of Gemma Hardy  If I had to choose my most favorite book of the year, this one would likely be it.  A slightly more modern (think 1950s) re-imagining of Jane Eyre, this book absolutely captivated me.  Lovely, lovely story.

Looking for Alaska  I finally jumped on the John Green bandwagon this fall, and I am not looking back.  I devoured this book in a day and a half, and while I liked it quite a bit at the time, it's the kind of book that I have thought about often since I read it.  There's so much to love in this book:  boarding school, rural Alabama (well, I love that part, anyway!), realistic teenagers I want to be friends with, first loves...the list goes on and on.

The Homecoming of Samuel Lake  This book and its characters stuck in my heart the moment I read it.  Southern preacher Samuel Lake and his precious family may be my favorite characters of the  year.  This book also provided some of my favorite quotes of the year.

The Shoemaker's Wife  A classic epic love story.  Tears were shed, and I am not ashamed to admit it.

The Last Plea Bargain  If you're a John Grisham fan, read this.  I loved it, and totally didn't see the end coming.

The Fault in Our Stars  (Yes, another John Green) The buzz about this book is what finally made me check out the author.  It lived up to expectations!  Fair warning:  tearjerker, but worth it.

Dead Reckoning and Deadlocked  (Sookie Stackhouse, Books 11 and 12)  I love Sookie Stackhouse and I don't care who knows it.  Award-winning literature?  Nope, but a heck of a lot of fun!

The Age of Miracles  Early YA genre, with some dystopian elements.  The details made the book for me.

First You Try Everything  I forgot how much I liked this book until I was going over the list of what I read this year.  A haunting view inside the demise of a marriage.  Loved the ending.

Laugh with the Moon  Technically this is middle-grade fiction, but my 30-year-old self loved it.  

Honorable Mentions:

Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn

Saving Ruth, by Zoe Fishman

The List, by Siobhan Vivian

Alabama Moon, by Watt Key

The Leftovers, by Tom Perotta

A Wilderness of Error, by Errol Morris

Heist Society, by Ally Carter

Shadow of Night, by Deborah Harkness

First Date, by Krista McGee

Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson

Shooting Stars, by Allison Rushby

What was your favorite book read in 2012?  Did you read any of my favorites?

Nerdy as it may sound, I can't wait to get started on this year's list!

Sad Desk Salad by Jessica Grose

The first thing that caught my eye about this book was the title:  Sad Desk Salad.  Unique, right?  When I received the book, I was struck by the cute cover.  It's exactly the type of book I can't resist picking up, just to see what it's all about.

Alex Lyons is a writer for Chick Habit, a fictional Gawker-type website.  Alex spends the day working from her couch, tied to her computer and smartphone, always looking for the next big story.  Eventually, Alex realizes she has become so embedded in the online world that she may be losing touch with the real world. 

I found many parts of this book to be so fascinating.  I read websites that update throughout the day, with commentary on gossip and current events, but rarely have I thought much about the writers churning out those trendy articles.  The first half of the book in particular was an insightful look into how a day in the life of a gossip blogger might look.  The author, Jessica Grose, apparently used to write for Jezebel, and it's pretty to imagine that some of her experiences there are relayed in the book, at least in some form.  I really enjoyed the glimpse into this "writer's life" that is so different from mine.  Though Alex Lyons's type of lifestyle can seem glamorous at times, Sad Desk Salad certainly exhibits the darker and decidedly less glamorous side of things.  I could probably count on one hand the number of showers Alex took during the entire book, and the description of the disgusting muumuu she wore over and over was really quite depressing.

Ultimately, it is those fascinating behind-the-scenes details that make Sad Desk Salad worth reading.  The rest of the storyline--hot story that might ruin a young girl's reputation, a Chick Habit hate blog, and the requisite relationship drama--were kind of forgettable.  But for a quick, indulgent weekend read?  Get sucked into Alex's online world and give this book a try!

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I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours and the publisher for review.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.  For more reviews and information about this title, check out the full tour post here.

The Candidate by Paul Harris

It is no secret among my friends and family that I love politics, particularly presidential politics.  I can very easily get a little too worked up and I take politics very seriously, so I often avoid the topic with people I don't know all that well or when I know there is no way to keep the conversation sensible.  Still, I love the excitement of the political season--the tension, the suspense, the drama.   

Paul Harris's The Candidate is an excellent read for anyone looking to indulge in the fun of the political world without the anxiety of real-life consequences.  The book focuses on the campaign on Jack Hodges, a political newcomer who is seeking his party's nomination for the upcoming presidential election.  Hodges is virtually unknown, trailing far behind the other potential candidates, until an assassination attempt rockets him to the forefront of the public's attention.  As Hodges and his staff seize the unexpected opportunity, a myriad of questions remain about the shooter who tried to kill the candidate.  Who is this mysterious woman?  What reason would a person have to be that angry with Jack Hodges?  The person tasked with solving that puzzle is Mike Sweeney, a campaign staffer who left his job to work for a candidate he truly believes holds the key to a brighter future for the U.S.

The Candidate is really Mike Sweeney's story, as it is told mostly from his point of view.  Mike is a realistic character, dealing with believable problems and trying to make a satisfying life for himself.  Dee Babineaux, Hodges's campaign manager is a character I would like to see again.  She is a tough-talking, no-nonsense kind of woman, and I enjoyed the few glimpses into her background and personality.  Overall, most of the other characters felt very generalized.  I don't feel that I knew enough about any of the characters to really be invested in their stories.  Although the premise of the book was a good one and it kept me on the hook to find out the ending, I think I would have liked it a lot more if I had felt any sort of connection to the characters.  That feeling particularly holds true as related to Jack Hodges, who we hardly get any idea of at all, other than the repeated mantra of the staffers and voters that he is "a good man" and someone they "can all believe in".  Give me details--why is he so fantastic?  What, other than the fact that he was nearly assassinated, makes him so special that Mike Sweeney and Dee Babineaux would work round the clock to help him win the nomination?  I totally understand why Hodges is not shown to be aligned with a specific political party or a set of policies, but I need to know a little more about him to feel invested in his campaign.

Paul Harris is intimately familiar with the American political process, as he is currently covering his third presidential campaign for British news outlets.  There are certainly some elements of previous political campaigns present here, most significantly the heated battle for the 2008 Democratic nomination between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.  (Hodges's main opponent is a female, portrayed as having the nomination all but clinched before he comes on the scene.)  And intentional or not, I couldn't help but think of James Carville, longtime political adviser, when reading about Dee Babineaux and her Cajun roots. 

With just enough material to tie in to real life events without becoming too serious, The Candidate is an exciting, behind-the-scenes glimpse into a fictional political world that is, for many of us, much more fun to read about than our own current political culture.

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I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours and the publisher for review.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.  For more reviews and information about this title, check out the full tour post here.

A Wilderness of Error: The Trials of Jeffrey MacDonald

In February 1970, Colette, Kimberely, and Kristen MacDonald were brutally murdered in their North Carolina home.  Jeffrey MacDonald, surgeon, father and husband, not only survived but soon became the sole suspect in the case.  Nine years later, MacDonald was tried and convicted for the murders of his wife and daughters.  He is currently serving three life sentences in prison, where he has been for more than three decades.

Jeffrey MacDonald, labeled the Green Beret Killer by the media, has steadfastly maintained his innocence, as many convicted criminals are bound to do.  In his new book, A Wilderness of Error: The Trials of Jeffrey MacDonald, Errol Morris raises the question: What if MacDonald really is innocent? 

Morris, who previously helped free a Texas man wrongfully convicted of murder, methodically examines every questionable aspect of the case, from the amateur initial investigation to MacDonald's multiple appeals, all of which have been denied.  Though the book is lengthy, at just over 500 pages, Morris does not waste words, relying heavily on transcribed conversations with key players in the case or snippets of court records to tell the story. 

There is a wealth of information contained in this book, as it covers a four-decade time span.  At the front of the book are six pages indexing the people associated with the MacDonald case, which looks daunting at first, but proves to be a valuable reference.  Morris's arguments could easily get lost amongst the details--there are a lot of fine details important to the case--but thanks to his superb writing and storytelling skills, the arguments stand out and the inconsistencies of the case are brought to the forefront time and again.  I particularly liked the division of the narrative into seven separate "Books" and 65 short chapters.  This organization kept it from feeling too overwhelming at any one time, and made it a much more enjoyable read.

I was impressed with the amount of time and research Morris has put into this undertaking.  It is obvious that the plight of Jeffrey MacDonald has weighed heavily on him for many years.  The case is a fascinating one to begin with, and Morris publicizes many startling facts that have long been suppressed or disregarded by the courts, the media, and the public.  I read many parts aloud to my husband (we both work in the law enforcement/prosecution fields), alternately shocked and disgusted at the multiple missteps in the investigations, the alleged suppression of evidence by both prosecutors and judges, and the mishandling of potential key witnesses. 

Do I think Jeffrey MacDonald is guilty of murdering his pregnant wife and children in February 1970?  Maybe; maybe not.  There are some very legitimate questions about his account of the events of that night.  But I kept coming back to the lack of any sort of legitimate motive.  I just can't buy that this Green Beret doctor, a surgeon who would have been specially trained to exert control over any type of situation, would lose control to any extent that would cause him to lash out at his family in such a brutal way. 

Still, the bigger question remains:  Do I think Jeffrey MacDonald got a fair trial?  Not in the least.  He didn't even get a fair investigation, as alternate potential leads were brushed off and dismissed and evidence was admittedly disturbed and corrupted.

Morris sums it up nicely in the closing passages of the book:

Whether MacDonald is innocent or guilty, the case is a terrible miscarriage of justice....

We may never know all the details of the night of February 17, 1970, a 544 Castle Drive.  Perhaps it was once but it is no longer possible to know.  Forty years of wandering in a wilderness of error.  Not a wilderness created by some metaphysical obstacle to knowledge, but a wilderness created by ourselves.

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I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours and the publisher for review.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.  For more reviews and information about this title, check out the full tour post here.